長谷川平和構築研究所

2018 (Journal)

More than six months have passed since Mr. Kit Kitatani passed away. I recently met Mrs Akiko Kitatani. She is over 90 years old but very healthy, speak clearly and walk well. Please join me in wishing her continued good health and happiness throughout New Year 2019.

HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Generations for Peace met with GPAJ President Sukehiro Hasegawa, Vice President Mio Sato and Secretary General Masakuni Tanimoto and explained the activities of the Generation for Peace (GFP) since it was founded as a peace-through-sport initiative of the Jordan Olympic Committee in 2007.

Four principles of co-existence, namely non-violence, respect for diversity, sharing and caring, and mutual cooperation were presented by Mr. Ken Inoue of the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan.

Naoko Kumagai, Associate Professor of International University of Japan, found fact-finding is indispensable for the reinforcement of confidence building and useful for preventive diplomacy measures, in particular early warning and mediation.

At the ASEAN Regional Forum held in Nanjing, China, GPAJ President explained that the UN had pursued retributive justice while Timor-Leste preferred restorative justice and reconciliation and friendship following establishment of truth.

Mizuno considers China and Japan have managed potential risk of getting into the Thucydides trap so far and at least have taken tangible steps to build a minimum trust and mutual understanding by agreeing the resumption of visits by the leaders of both countries after a long hiatus.

Ponzio says: Between now and 2020 (the UN’s 75th anniversary), I am working with partner organizations to advance the recommendations of the Albright-Gambari Commission on Global Security, Justice & Governance, including in the areas of “coping with violent conflict & state fragility”, “climate & people”, “governing the hyperconnected global economy”, and “UN and broader global governance reforms.” For further details, please visit: https://www.stimson.org/programs/just-security-2020

Sharei and Hasegawa engaged in debate on how the Charter review process can be started, while Francisco Plancarte, a Mexican lawyer and long-time promoter of UN transformation according to Art. 109 called for the creation of a global parliament.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau along with several other heads of state and government listened as Merkel, Macron and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres spoke about the importance of the U.N. and other multilateral institutions to address global problems.

Guest Speaker Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa interacted with a group of about 35 students and scholars of the ICU in Mitaka City, a northern part of the metropolitan Tokyo. Please click here for a summary of his presentation.

My dear friend, Mr. Victor Angelo, took me and my wife to this impressive monument on the edge of the river leading to the Atlantic Ocean. It is dedicated to the 15th to 16th century Age of Discovery when Portuguese explorers set out across the oceans to seek the New World. They took one hundred years before they finally reached Japan in 1543. Please click here for detail.

In a discussion moderated by Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae, Chairman of the Japan Institute of International Studies, the participants shared various viewpoints on the role and limitation of the United Nations in light of the dramatic global situation, the main issues before the UN General Assembly this year, and challenges Japan faces in the United Nations system On the issue of the United Nations, Professor Motohide Yoshikawa, former Ambassador of Japan to the United Nations and Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa, President of the International Peacebuilding Association of Japan shared their views and perspectives.

UN Security Council is meeting on the prospect of accommodations between South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his former deputy leader Riek Machar after they signed a peace deal at the IGAD summit meeting in Addis Ababa, Sept. 12, 2018.

The arrival of autumn is celebrated by carrying the Mikoshi shrines that are said to hold the spirit of the deity of that shrine. Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle to transport a deity while moving between main shrine and temporary shrine during a festival. It is paraded around local areas and signifies the prevention of misfortune and wishing for the happiness of its people. The mikoshi is shaken and rocked not just to make a racket, but rather a gesture for the deity, to have it involved in the fun of the festival. Also rocking the mikoshi is thought to enliven the land.

At the same annual meeting of the heads of UN Associations of Japan, China and Korea held on August 27, 2018 at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Professor Ahn Byun-Jun of Korea gave a lecture on a theme entitled “Challenges to the Liberal International Order”.

President of the Kofi Annan Foundation, Mr. Alan Doss, has indicated that Mrs. Annan and the family appreciated condolence messages received from many people in Japan and that the Foundation will continue to uphold Kofi Annan`s legacy.

Website Management

This website was established by Mr. Norimasa NOGUCHI in 2008. It is now managed by Mr. Shogo YOSHIDA, who was one of Professor Hasegawa’s sixth seminar class students at Hosei University. Please forward any inquiry or suggestions to: admin[@]shasegawa.com.